Ahn Cheol-soo Announces 'Detailed Policies for Dissolving Minnochoong'
"Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl's Support for Time-Off System Is Labor Populism"
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahn Cheol-soo, the presidential candidate of the People’s Party, stated on the 24th that he opposes the legalization of the time-off system (working hours exemption) for public officials and teachers’ unions. He has been presenting pledges that confront strong labor unions day after day, including announcing a full suspension policy the day before regarding the implementation of the labor director system, which has already passed the National Assembly.
On the same day, Ahn said through social media (SNS), “The time-off system, which recognizes the time spent by full-time union officials of public officials and teachers’ unions in labor-management negotiations as working hours and pays wages accordingly, is on the verge of legislation,” adding, “A worker is someone who provides labor for wages, so paying wages for time not worked is logically inconsistent.” He stated, “Union activities are based on union members’ dues, and compensation for union activities should, in principle, be the responsibility of the union itself.”
Ahn said, “If the bill passes, I will take strong measures to nullify it, including revising the related laws if I am elected,” and added, “Not only the political sphere but the entire Republic of Korea must not become a hostage to strong vested-interest unions.” The time-off system for public officials and teachers’ unions passed the Environment and Labor Committee’s bill review subcommittee on the 4th and is awaiting the full committee meeting and plenary session.
Ahn also continued to criticize Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party, presidential candidates who had expressed support for the time-off system during their visits to the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU). He pointed out, “The attitudes of the two party candidates toward the time-off system are another form of labor populism following the labor director system, catering to vested-interest labor groups rather than all workers.”
Recently, through SNS, Ahn declared, “I will fully suspend the implementation of the labor director system to stop the misdeeds of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).” Regarding this, he said, “If elected, I will fully suspend the implementation of the labor director system and take sufficient time for deliberation through public discussion to ask for the will of the people.”
Ahn has been differentiating himself from candidates Lee and Yoon by consecutively announcing pledges titled ‘Detailed Policies for Reforming the KCTU Series.’ This appears to target conservative voters who oppose Yoon’s pro-labor policies. As a candidate advocating centrism, Ahn’s move to strengthen conservative colors is interpreted as a strategic step to gain an advantageous position in unifying candidacies with Yoon.
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